Foreign Minister Israel Katz Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to prepare a plan to allow Gazans to voluntarily leave the Strip. According to the plan, there are several options for leaving: through land crossings, as well as special measures for leaving by sea and air, The Jerusalem Post reports.
“This plan includes options for exit through land crossings, as well as special arrangements for exit by sea and air,” Katz said. He also supported US President Donald Trump’s plan, which was announced on Tuesday after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
The defence minister said that Hamas used Gazans as human shields, appropriated humanitarian aid for its own purposes and prohibited them from leaving the territory. Katz stressed that Gazans should have the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is customary around the world.
“Countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway and others who have blamed Israel for its actions in Gaza have an obligation to accept Gazans into their territory. Their hypocrisy will be evident if they refuse to do so,” Katz added. He also reminded that Canada has a structured immigration programme and has previously expressed its readiness to accept Gazans.
Trump’s plan involves the resettlement of Gazans to other countries, and, according to the US president, he is confident that Jordan and Egypt will not refuse him.
“My goal is to get all the people of Gaza out,” Trump said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, adding that these countries would not refuse him.
